Spring-operated clutch-shifting mechanism



Aug. 30, 1927.

P. C. BURTON SPRING OPERATED CLUTCH SHIFTING MECHANISM .3 Sheets-Sheet. 1

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` Q l O Aug- 30 927 P. c. BURTON SPRING OPERATED CLUTCH SHIFTING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-snee*u 3 Filed June 20. 1924 vwamtoz YPatented ug. 30, 1927. n Y

unirsi) STATES PATENTXOFFICE.;

PAUL C. BURTON, lF LA GRANGE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE' NATIONAL AUTO- MATIC TOOL COMPANY, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

SPRING-OPERATD CLUTCH-SHIFTING MECHVANISM.

Application filed June 20,

This invention relates to a shifting device for driving mechanisms of that type in which one of the driving members is adapt-4 ed to be translatedfinto either of twopositions by power stored up in a compressedV spring, said power at the proper time, being released through the vaction of a suitable trip. The invention is equally adaptable to the shifting of a clutch-member, the translation of gears, or the actuation of variousr other machine elements, and while it is shown and described particularly in' connection with a tooth clutch it is to be understood that this is merely one typical embodiment `of the invention and that the invention also contemplates various other uses. Theterm clutch. therefore is to be given a broad interpretation Wherever used in this specification. i IThese devices Vare particularly useful in machine tool organizations which involve speed-changes7 reversals in movement or other power connections which'have to provide a yielding throw of the clutch (or'other element) as a result of a positive unyield-Y ing movement of some other member. Many of these so-called load-and-fire devices have heretofore been provided, all of -which remore or less complicated in V'construction and unsatisfactory in action.-y This invention has for Van object to provide a shifting mechanism of the load-'andlire type which is exceedinglyrugged and simple in construction, kbeingdevoid of the multiplicity of latches, triggera'etc., of prior devices.

l furtherobject is to provide a clutch Y lifting mechanism which will opera-'tewith l Lual facility under varying torsional strains. a still further object ofthe invention-is so to construct a clutch-shifting device of this'nature that a single element may be em# ployed for locking the clutch-shifter'in its various positions, which element also forms a trip for releasing the clutch-shifter topermit it to be moved under the action of power previously stored in e. suitable spring. y

These and other objects are attained in a clutch-shifting mechanism in which the vch (or other) element is moved by means pivoted lever adaptedto be placed under spring pressure in either of two directions, said lever having a portion movable in a path intersecting the path of niovementof a suitable clutch-shifter retaining element.

1924. Serial No. 721,226.

This retaining element 'is' preferably constructed and arranged to return to a predetermined position after each clutch-shifting operation and in this position toalternately engage opposite faces onV the vclutch-shifting lever to hold the latter in its different positions. l f Y Inasmuch las these rdevices, are frequently required to operate under a. substantial load which tends to restrain the elements of the clutch vagainst being yreadily shifted,

invention proposes afconstruction in which the clutch-shifting lever is constructed Vand arranged to deliver a. blow to the shiftable clutch-member whereby the then-driving ciutch-teeth are quickly `and forcibly disconnected and the teeth on theopposite side of the shiftable clutch-member are forced into engagement with the teeth of another` a part of this 'disclosure and, in such drawings, like charactersof reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of whichzj i i I -F ig. lis a side *elevation7 lpartly in sec tion7 of a speed-changing device embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is plan'of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is al leftkend view thereof. Fig. l is a detail plan of the clutch-shifting mechanism showing it in a., dierent position of adjustment from that showny in'Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a detail section substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2,i certain partsbeing on'iitted.r Fig. 6 is end and side views of Y one of the non-shiftable clutch-members, and Fig. 7 issimilar views of cheltranslatable clutch-element. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of the clutch-shifter ylocking mechanism. v j Y For the purpose of illustration7V this invention is disclosed as Iembodied in a conventional speed-changing mechanism. comprising a `driving shaft and a driven shaft with two pairs of gears of ldifferent ratio therebetween. Either of the shafts may be the driving shaft but for convenience of description the shaft 1 may be considered.

as the driving shaft and 2 may designate the driven shaft. 'Theseshafts are disclosed as journaled in standardsl 3 and 4- carried by a suitable base 5. The shaft 1 may have secured upon it a driving' pulley 6 .and the shaft 2 may carry a pulley 7 adapted to transmit .power to any suitable mechanism.

The invention is disclosed in the forni of a clutch-shifting device but it is to be understood that theinvention is equally adapt able to various formsof gear shifting devices reversing mechanisms, etc.

To drive the shaft 2 at varying` speeds. .large and small gears 8 and 9 .respectively are fixed upon the shaft 1 and mesh with correspondingly small and large gears 10 eand V11 loosely jourualed coanialwith .thc shaft 2. Either of the gear-setsS-lO or 9-11 may be rendered eifecti ve to. drive the shaft 2 by means of a clutchfn'iechanism now tO be described..

The gears 10 and 11 are preferably carried by clutch-members 12 and 13 respectively, provided'with clutch-teeth 12t and 13t. These clutch-members are freely rotatable coa-Xially with the shaft 2 but are held againstcndwise movementthereon. Splined at lll 4to the shaft 2, intermediatethe clutchmembers 12 and 13, is a translatable clutch member.l 15 having at its opposite ends clutch-teeth 15t and 15X adapted selectively to be engaged with the -teth 12t and 13t of the members 12 and 13.

A clutch-shifting element -16 is loosely vjournaled ona shaft 17 held at one end in .the base 5 and at its other end in a. bracket 18 carried by the standard l. The element- 16 provides arms 19 and y2O (constituting a clutch-shifting fork) which carry pins (or rollers) 21 and 21VV having their inner ends located within an annular groove 22 formed in the translatable clutch-member 15. It is to benoted that the groove 22 is substanti'ally wider than the pins 21 and 21X. The purpose of this will be explained late-r.

As hereinbefore stated the clutch-shifting mechanism is adapted to be actuated by power stored up in a suitable spring?. To this end shaft 23 is arranged parallel with the shaft 2 and'has se ured to it at one end, a thimble 24e slidingly fitted within a bor-e 25 in the standard 3. rl`he opposite enc of the shaft 23 carries spaced 'collars 26 and 27 between which are fitted the projecting` ends of pins 28 and 29 carried by arms 19 and 30 provid-ed by the element 16. 1f desired the pin 28 may be formed as a part of the pin 21 or it may be separate therefrom. Slidingly mounted upon the shaft 23 intermediate the sleeve 24 and the collar 26 is the hub 31 of an arm 32. 'A Vcoil-spring;v 33

surrounds the shaft 23 between the sleeve 24 and hub 31 .and a similar spring 33X is located between the hub 31 and the collar 26. These two springsbeing of equalV strength normally act to Vhold vthe hub ina prede-terminal posit-ion midway between the sleeve and collar but permit it to be moved in either direction lengthwise of the shaft 23.

As previously described the clutch-shifter is adapted to be moved by means of power previously stored up in a. suitable spring; which power lis suddenly V,released byk a. trip. mechanism. Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 land 2 in which the clui'oh-menr -bers 12and 15 are connected., thereby drivingl the shaft 2 from the shaft .1 through the Vgears. 8 and 10, it will be seen that the clutch-members are. held against separation by means -of a locking Varm 34 `also provided by the member 16, This arm is formed with anabntinent or stop-block adapted to contact with .an abutment 36 provided by the arm 32. The arms 19 and 20 and the arm 311. projecting substantially at right .angles from the member 16., act as a bellcrank lever and prevent the .clutch-member from shifting to `the right (as viewed in Fig. 2) when the rblocks 35 and 36 are eagaged as shown in Fig: 2. They also act to lpositively hold the clutch-members13 vand 15 in' engagement when the parts vin the position shown in Fig. 4, whichposition will be explained more fully later.

With the parts in the positions shown in .Fim 2 su a ose it is desired to drive the shaft 2 at a slower speed., two things are necessary; iirstrthe clutch-shifter 16 must beV released by the abutment 36and second.

t-herclutch-member 15 must be shifted to lease the clutch-member 12 and encagre the clutch-teeth .15X and 13t of the clutch-members 15 rand 13 respectively. VVit-h this ef fected, power will flowfrom the sha,...Y through 'gearsQ and 11 and drive the shaft 2 at a slower speed. This is preferably eff fected by sliding the hub 31 along' the shaft 23 to the right (as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2) against the .resistance of the spring 33X. ln this mov-ement of the. hubl3-1 and its attached arm 32 the surface 37 of the abutment 36 i passes over theface .38 of the block uit til the corner 362L reaches the corner 35e as shown in Fig. V8. During this movement the hub 31 has compressed the spring 33X (one end having been seated against 'the then-stationary collar 26) and has stored power therein. After the parts have rear the position shown in Figli. 8, a. furtl. movement of the hub 31 and arm 32 causes Vdisconnection of the abutments 35 and 36.,

whereupon the member 16 is free to be osclllated about the shaft 17 under the action vof the'spring 33X which then `moves the shaft V23 and the collars 26 and 27 right.

thereon. to the To insure the disconnection of the clutchteeth 12t and 13t even when the lclutchis transmitting a heavy load, the clutch-shifting pins are made of substantially less width than the annular groove 22 in the shiftable clutch-member. his permits the arms 19 and 2O and thepins carried thereby to accumulate considerable momentum under the action of the spring 33X before the pins contact with the wall 22X of the groove v22.v By this arrangement the pins 21, `21x are caused to strike a considerable blow against the wall 22K which quickly and forcibly disconnects the teeth 12t and 15t; AfterA the pins have engaged the wall 22X a further movement of the clutch-shifter 16 into the position shown in Fig.v t and the dotted line position in Fig. 8, causes translation of the member 15 and engages its teeth 15x with the teeth13t of the clutch-member 13 fast to the gear 11, thus effectinga slow-speed drive through the gears 9 and 11.

The lengths and relative positions of the abutments are such that the distance through which the abutment 36 is required to move in order to pass the abutment 35 is greater than the distance through which the clutchcollars 26 and 27 are required to move in the same directionto move the clutch-shifter from one extreme'position to the other, including the lost motion between thespins 21 .andy 21X and the annular groove 22. Therefore, after the :clutch-member has been shifted from the position shown in `Figsl and 2 to the position vshown in Fig. 4 the spring 33xis still compressed to some extent. 'When the-hub 31 is released from its shifting means the power stored in the spring 33X acts to retract the hub 31l and.

the arm 32 to the position shown in-Fig. 4 in which the face 3ob of the abutment 36 contacts with the face 35b of lthe vblock 35 thus holding the clutch-shifter in its new position. Inl this position of the hub'31 and arm 32 the pressure of the springs 33 and 33X is equalized andthe entire clutch shifting mechanism is held lstrain-free.

Any'suitable means either manual or automatic may be provided for shifting themember 31- 32- in opposite directions lengthwise of the shaft`23 from. its normal position. @ne means for effecting this movement may conveniently comprise a hand-lever la pivoted intermediate its ends to an extension 3a of the standard 3. This lever hasv atfone end, a pin-and-slot connection 40 with a slide-rod 41, translatably mounted 'in va bore l2 in 'the standard 3, upon whichk is secured the hub 31. be alternately shifted in opposite directions by the hand-lever 71. in opposition to the springs 33 and 33X. A

To return the mechanismqto the position shown in Figs. `1 and 2 the operator shifts thehand-lever it to the rightf(as `seenin Thus the member 317-.-32 may 'a non-translatable clutcli-member a shift- Fig. 2)` which causes the member 31-32 to be 'moved yto the left against the action of the spring 33, the face 36b of they block 36 sliding on the face 35b of the abutment 35 until the corner 36C clears the corner 35c (see Fig. 4 and dotted line position Fig. 8) whentheclutch-shifter 16 is unlocked and the spring 33 acts upon' the sleeve 24 to shift the rod 23 yand therewith the arms 19 and 20 and the clutch-member to the left, the spring 33 acting in all respects the same as the spring 33X only inV an opposite direction.

F rom the 'foregoing it will be perceived that there has been provided a shifting mechanism which is extremely simple and sturdy in construction;v which em loys but a single trip for releasing the shifting mechanism; whichpositively locks the shiftable tures that, vfrom the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific Vaspects `of this invention and, therefore, suchadapta- Ytions should be, and are intended to be, com-v '.prehendedwithinthe meaning and range of `equivalency of the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations'and elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United Statesz--q Y 1. A clutch-shifting mechanism combining `a non-translatable clutch-member; a shiftable clutch-member adapted to be engaged therewith; a clutch-shifter having a portion engaging said shiftable clutch -inember, means. including a single element movable in opposite direction for placingy said clutchvshifter under oppositely directed spring pressure; an abutment memberr carried by said element vand adapted to engage said clutch-shifter to hold it against movement in either direction until a predetermined pressure has been applied thereto, means for lmoving said abutment member to permit said clutchshifter to move under said pres lsure `to engage said yclutch members;l andmeans including said abutment-member for positively locking said clutch-shifter inl its 'adj usted position.

l/'clutch-shi'fting mechanism combining able clutch-member adapted to be engaged therewith', a. clutclisliifter having an arm engaging said shlftable yclutch-member: an-

llO

other arm on said clutch-shifter projecting a't an angle to said first-named arm; an abutment on said l'ast namedl arm; amember movable toward and from said clutclrshrtter; a spring operatively connecting said clutcl'lehiiter and saidY movable member and" adaptable clutch-member; an abutment carried by said clutch-shifter; a bodily movable member adapted to place saidl clutcheshifter under spring pressure; an abutment carried by said bodily movable member and normally maintained in the path oit said first-named abutment to preventmovement of saidclutchshifter until a' predetermined pressure has been applied thereto; means ior moving said bodily movable member in one direction to separate vsaid abutments to permit said clutcl'tshitter to b-e actuated by said" spring pressure; and means for returning the bodily movable member to its normal position to cause its abutment to again locl said' clutchshifter against movement. l

4. A clutch-shifting mechanism combining a non-translatable clutch-element; a translatable clutch-member adapted to be moved into either of tivo positions; a clutch-shifter operatively connected With said translatable clutch-member and adapted to move it in opposite directions; a slide-bar connected with said clutch-shifter; a member slidingly mounted on said slide-bar; stops secured to said slide-bar at opposite sides of said member; springs interposed between said member and said stops; means to shift said member in opposite directions to apply oppositely directed spring pressure to said shifter; a single stop carried by said member and engaging said clutch-shifter in both of its positions and normally acting to reventit from being shifted; and means renc ering. said sto ineffective; thereby permitting said clutchshiiter to shift said translatable clutchmember. Y

5. A clutch-shifting mechanism combining a translatable clutch-member; a clutch-shifter engaging said clutch-member; an abutment provided by said clutch-shifter; movable means for placing said clutch-shifter under tension; an abutment carried by said movable means and adapted to engage one portion of said irst named abutment to tem- -peraniy prevtfnieveinent leff the' shifter;

means for separating" saidl abu'tin'entsI to" per'- a'iitsaid @latch-*shifter Yto translate' said translatable clutcltr-inemberl; and means i'or bringing said'.- aburmentsagaiavnto' Contact to prevent return oit'said clutcl`i-shifter.

- 6. clutch-shiftingf meclraiiis'nicombining a translatableclutch-member ;v a:v cl'u'tcl'i-shiiter engaging sa'id' clutclii'ifie'i'nbe'i'; an abutmentblocltf carried by saidl clutch-shifter and provided with tivo' abutment faces; aspring operatively connected Withsai'dt elutclr-'shifter; a' movable'meinber' adapted to compress said spring andput saidi clutch-shifter under tension;l an abutment-block carried by said movable member and' provid-:ed with tvvo abutment farces one of which 'is normally maintained inV conta/ct with one ofthe abutment' -lares of said clutc'hfshifter to hold the shifter against n'rovement, and means for movingsaid movable member to; compress said spring and then to separate said con'- tactingabutment face'sto permit said clutchshifter tozmove under the action of said spring', saidspring acting after the movement of .said shifter to return said movable member to its normal position to contact the opposite faces otsaid a'butments.:

7; A. clutchxshifting mechanismV combining a y shii'table clutchlmejmber provided With clutch-teeth at its' opposite ends; a nontransl'atafble clutch-member at each end of said shiftable clutch-member and provided With' clutch-teeth adapted successively to be engaged with thev teeth" of said shiftable member; a clutch-shifter having ar lostmotionfconnection with said shiftable clutchmember; an abutment-block carried by said clutch2shifter;a movable member; a spring loc-ated intermediate j said movable member and said clutch shifter and adapted to be compressed by the former; an abutment on said m'ova'ble-i'nember normally maintained in conta'et-avitlr the abutment block on said clutch-shifter to hold the latter against movement;l means for relatively shitting said abutments to separate them to permit said clutch-.shifterV to be moved by said spring;said abutments'being so constructed and arranged that the movement required to separate them is greater than the entire movement ot' said clutch-shifter, whereby s'ajid spring' is. maintained under tension after said clutch-member is shifted and acts to return the movable member to its normal position. Y

8. A clutch-shifting mechanism combining-,two non-translatable clutch-members; a shiftable rclutch-member intermediate the two clutch-members and adapted to be engaged Witheither; aj clutch-shifter connect-V ed with said shiftable clutch-member; a rod parallel with the axis of said clutch-members; an operative'l connection between .said rod-and said clutch-shifter; an arm slidably mounted on said rod; collars fixed adjacent the opposite ends of said rod; a coil-spring located between said arm and each of said collars; means for moving said arm on said rod in either direction to compress one of said `springs and place said clutch-shifter under pressure; a latch mechanism associated' with said arm and said clutch-shifter and normally preventing movement of the latter and means for releasing said latch-mechanism by the movement of said arm.

9. A clutch shifting-mechanism combining a shiftable clutch-member; a pivoted clutch-shifter provided with an arm operatively connected with said shiftable clutchmember; a second arm on said clutch-shifter; an abutment carried by said second arm and movable in an arcuate path therewith; a clutch-shifter rod Voperatively connected with said clutch-shifter; a member slidable on said rod; collars fixed to said rod at opposite sides of said slidable member; springs surrounding said rod intermediate the slidable member and said collars; anV abutment carried by said slidable member and normally engaging said iirst named abutment and holding said shifter against movement and means for moving said slidable memb er in either of two directions on said rod iirst to compress either of said springs and thereby place said rod and the clutch-shifter under .spring pressure and then to separate y said abutments to permit said rod and clutch-shifter to move under said pressure.

10. A clutch shifting mechanism combining a shiftable clutch-member; a clutchshifter operatively connected therewith; two springs operatively connected with said clutch-shifter; a single movable element for compressing either of said springs to apply pressure to said clutch-shifter in opposite directions; a single latchsmechanism comprising coacting lugs carried by said movable element and clutch-shifter for normally preventing movement of said clutch-shifter in either of two directions; and means for shifting one of sai-d lugs out of engagement with the other for releasing said latch after a predetermined pressure has been applied to either of said springs. y

11. A clutch-shifting mechanism combining a shaft; two non-translatable clutchmembers coaxial with said shaft; a clutchmember translatably mounted on said shaft and adapted to engageveither of said two non-translatable members; a clutch-shifter engaging said translatable clutch-member and provided with an off-set arm; a rod arranged parallel with said shaft and operatively connected with said shifter; a mem berpslidably mounted on said rod and provided with an offset arm adapted to engage lthe first named arm to prevent movement of clutch-shifter in opposite directions; a single detent means for temporarily preventing said clutch-shifter from being moved against either of said pressures; means for releasing said detent means; and a lost-motion con- Y nection between said clutch-shifter and'said shiftable clutch-member whereby said clutchshifter may be moved independently of said shiftable clutch-member.

13. A clutch-shifting mechanism combin ing a non-translatable clutch-member; a translatable clutch-member adapted to be engaged therewith; a movable clutch-shifter engaging .said translatable clutch-member; a spring opposing the movement of said clutch-shifter in one direction; a movable l member adapted to place said clutch-shifter under spring pressure, saidv clutch-shifter and movable member being so constructed and arranged that a portion of one normally lies in the pathof the other to prevent movement of the clutch-shifter until a predetermined pressure has been applied thereto; means to move said movable member in one direction out of the path of said shifter to permit said shifter to be actuated by said spring pressure, and means to return said movable member to its normal position to cause it again to lock .said clutch-shifter against movement.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

` PAUL C. BURTON. 

